What are the Requirements to Charge for Home Health in Arizona?

As people age, they may find home aid will enhance their quality of living by allowing them to remain in their own home for the duration of their senior years. The two types of aides have different functions and will get paid on different scales; home health aides have medical responsibilities, while personal home care aides don't, so the latter's rates are normally lower and not reimbursable through Medicare or Medicaid in Arizona.

Home Health Aides

• According to the Arizona Board of Nursing, Medicare and Medicaid will only recognize and reimburse home health aides who are registered with the state and certified by a state-approved program. In addition to the state certification, home health aides in all states must complete a 75-hour training program. These professionals work under the supervision of a doctor or nurse; since they track and maintain health records at each client visit, they're eligible for higher pay rates and reimbursement through insurance companies.

  According to a 2009 survey conducted by MetLife, the average charge for a home health aide from a licensed agency was about $28 per hour in the Phoenix area, while the Tucson area averaged about $19 an hour. The state average for a home health aide in Arizona is about $23 per hour.

Personal Home Care Aides

• Personal home care aides need not work for a registered agency (although some do) and may be hired directly by families. In Arizona, these types of workers normally charge from $7.81 to more than $12 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Personal home care aides are more like personal companions for clients; they may assist with such tasks as laundry, meal preparation, running errands, helping clients bathe and get dressed, and accompanying them on walks to get exercise and fresh air.

  These home workers may also assist with some housekeeping duties. Their main difference from home health aides is that they don't assist clients with administering medications or keeping data of vital signs such as respiration rate, blood pressure and temperature.

Licensed Nurses

• Clients may choose to pay for a licensed nurse to come to their house and administer care. Normally an insurance company will not pay for a private in-home nurse because assisted living facilities and nursing homes are generally less expensive options. According to Care.com, private home nurses in Arizona may charge between $50 and $100 per hour.